The letter said, in part:
“Russian-Indian relations are actively developing and turning into multi-faceted constructive cooperation. Russia attaches strategic priority to strengthening its cooperation with India in settling international and bilateral issues. We consider India an important partner in Asia and the world, and we intend to maintain this principal position.”
Mr Putin said that the New Delhi summit ”gave a boost to united Russian and Indian efforts to settle most of the current problems of international policy, and strengthened joint approaches to the most relevant problems – international terrorism, religious extremism and separatism.”
The President pointed to the evolving tendencies of “growing trade turnover, increasing investments and diversifying fields of cooperation.”
The head of state mentioned the achievements in this field: the Russian-Indian project in exploration of the Sakhalin-1 oil field, the launch of the Kudankulam NPP construction, the North-South transport corridor, which was also under construction, and the signing of an agreement on enhancing flight safety, which provided new perspectives for cooperation in civil aviation.
The Russian head of state said “it is crucial to keep pace, and be consistent in strengthening bilateral relations in all fields. The Declaration of Strategic Partnership between Russia and India, signed in October 2000, laid a solid foundation for our constructive relations in all fields.”
The Russian President said Mr Vajpayee’s official visit to Moscow, scheduled for the autumn of 2001, was crucial as during it they could assess the results of Russian-Indian cooperation in 2001 and outline prospects for partnership for the benefit of the Russian and Indian peoples.
Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, who was on an official visit to New Delhi, handed the letter to the Indian Prime Minister.